Century Shape at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

In the late 19th century shape the shape of the head (oblong or dolichocephalic, intermediate or mesocephalic, and round or brachy-cephalic) was very much in fashion as a classifi-catory device. Yet people with oblong and with round heads occur in different parts of the world and often have different skin colors, statures, and other traits; the shape of the head may also vary quite appreciably in members of the same family.

The octagonal plan was introduced about the middle of the 9th century shape and after the llth century became accepted as the standard shape for a pagoda. A great number of pagodas of this type, enriched by tou-kung under the eaves, were built in north China from the 10th to the 12th centuries. The best-known example is the pagoda of the T'ien-ning Ssu, Peking, a structure of the llth century shape which has been much repaired.

Metal Techniques.—Repousse is the technique of pushing, beating, or hammering quite malleable metals, such as copper, lead, and aluminum, into the form desired. Frequently the metal is beaten into shape over, or into, a form which has been produced by carving or casting. This is a handicraft reproductive process akin to the manufacturing process of stamping with dies. Twentieth century shape artists generally employ the freer technique of beating the metal into shape without the use of prepared forms.